Casing lock mechanism for a sausage stuffing machine

Abstract

A casing lock mechanism, for a sausage stuffing machine, which reduces the risk of damage to a sausage casing during a sausage extruding operation. The casing lock mechanism includes a chuck member that holds a pair of jaws having jaw holes that surround a nozzle or stuffing horn. The chuck member is connected to the nozzle so that it rotates at the same time, in the same direction, and at the same speed as, the nozzle. The chuck member holds the jaws so that when rotated it imparts a centrifugal force to the jaws thereby causing them to move radially outward to lock a sausage casing to the outside of the nozzle. Because the nozzle does not rotate during an extruding portion of the sausage stuffing cycle, no centrifugal force is imparted to the jaws which thus assume a free state wherein they do not lock the sausage casing to the nozzle. Therefore, pressure on the sausage casing during the extruding cycle is reduced, thereby reducing the tendency to overstress and tear the sausage casing.

We claim:  
     
       1. A sausage stuffing machine comprising: 
       a rotatable nozzle having a longitudinal axis and a discharge end which discharges meat emulsion; and  
       a casing lock mechanism, disposed adjacent to said discharge end of said rotatable nozzle, including:  
       a rotatable chuck member, disposed around the nozzle and including a radial track, said rotatable chuck member being connected to said nozzle so as to rotate in the same direction, and at the same speed, as said nozzle;  
       a first jaw member slidingly disposed on said radial track, said first jaw member having an opening at a first end thereof, wherein said opening is sized so as to receive the discharge end of said nozzle therethrough.  
     
     
       2. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said radial track is disposed substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       3. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said rotatable chuck is connected to said nozzle so as to rotate at the same time as said nozzle. 
     
     
       4. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said casing lock mechanism further includes a second jaw member slidingly disposed on said radial track adjacent to said first jaw member, said second jaw member having an opening at a first end thereof, wherein said second-jaw opening is sized so as to receive the discharge end of said nozzle therethrough. 
     
     
       5. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  4 , wherein said first jaw member includes a second end that is opposite to said first-jaw-member first end and that is heavier than said first-jaw-member first end, and wherein said second jaw member includes a second end that is opposite to said second-jaw-member first end and that is heavier than said second-jaw-member first end, so that said first and second jaw members are centrifugally moved radially outwardly, thereby engaging said nozzle, upon rotation of said chuck member. 
     
     
       6. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said radial track is bounded by tabs located on an outer periphery of said chuck member so that said first jaw member is removable from said radial track. 
     
     
       7. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  1 , wherein said casing lock mechanism is disposed in a chuck assembly that is slidably connected to a supporting and driving apparatus disposed adjacent to said nozzle. 
     
     
       8. The sausage stuffing machine according to claim  7 , wherein 
       said supporting and driving apparatus includes a first pulley, said chuck assembly includes a second pulley and a third pulley to which said chuck member is attached,  
       further wherein said first pulley is connected to said nozzle so as to be rotatably driven thereby, said second pulley is connected to said first pulley so as to be rotatably driven thereby, and said third pulley is connected to said second pulley so as to be rotatably driven thereby, and  
       further wherein said first, second, and third pulleys are sized so that said chuck member rotates at the same speed as said nozzle.